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Lock the Door, Shut the Light

Regardless of the country and the time zone, for one hour on this date, people around the world are turning out, or shutting the light. This is an idea conceived by the World Wildlife Foundation, two years ago in Sydney, Australia. This is an attempt to bring to the forefront of modern thinking, ideas as simple as turning out lights, and unplugging appliances. Small steps, taken towards the greater goal of preserving the ecosystems and the energy of this modern world. This one night will not drastically reduce pollution and waste, but it will serve to remind people just how simple it can be, to take care. So get out the candles, no doubt a more pleasant way to view and evening regardless of the situation, have dinner outside, or give the kids a flashlight and tent and have them ‘camp’ in the backyard telling ghost stories all night. Five star Singapore hotels will be doing it, Bar-b-Que joints in Chicago will be doing it. Art museums in Paris will be doing it.

Advice from Singaporean Amy Ho, World Wildlife foundation’s managing director, is to just do one simple thing each month. And this does not need to be limited to the home, wherein just simply leaving a room and turning off the light has such a huge positive effect…but take the bus, share a taxi. Most of the world’s major skylines will go dark tonight as the pledge has gained momentum and support worldwide. Take a breath in all that. And realize that this night won’t solve environmental issues and concerns in the hour, but serves to reinforce that this is just one, one very easy step, to a commitment to the planet and her resources. One step that unites all people in one common goal, which is to save this earth. If anything else, to have the people of the world combined together, in one idea that is so real and immediate, is so much more meaningful and important than having them fighting for and most often, separate ideologies. For those uncomfortable with one hour of contemplation, black-out parties and celebrations are scheduled. Many activities are planned for Earth Hour, in Singapore and around the world. The solutions seem so simple, tonight perhaps people will see that it just not too difficult nor much of an inconvenience to take care, and to take notice.

Tags: five, hotels, in, Singapore, star

Dubai to Host First International Cricket Match

Tickets are now available for the first ever international cricket match to be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The event, a one-day international between Australia and Pakistan, will take place on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at the Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium.

The one-day international (ODI) will be the first in a series of five matches between the two teams. A second match in Dubai on April 24th will be followed by three matches in Abu Dhabi. On May 7th, the two teams will meet up in Dubai again for a one-off Twenty:20 match.

As the inaugural event at the new Stadium, organizers expect the event to sell out quickly and are hopeful that the other matches in the series will also play to a full house. Cricket fans traveling for the match should have no problem finding a Dubai UAE hotel near the stadium.

The Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium seats 25,000 specatators and was designed for world-class matches. Shaped like a bowl, the circular stadium provides great viewpoints from almost every seat. It can host ODIs, test matches, and Twenty20 tournaments. Dubai Sports City is also building three additional stadiums to host a wide-range of sports from fild hockey to football, basketball, to track and field, as well as volleyball, ice hockey, and handball.

Tags: Abu Dhabi, Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium, Dubai UAE, hotel, one-day international

Top Honeymoon Spots

Travel expert Shannon Oddie has compiled a list of the best honeymoon destinations around the world and the beautiful island of Mauritius is at the head of the list. Oddie suggests deciding on the type of honeymoon desired and then finding the best destination that fits that ideal bill.

Some of the more popular honeymoon trips are centered around beaches and cruises. However, many couples prefer a mountain or lake getaway or even a desert adventure. While most go for beautiful scenery and secluded areas, other seek out urban honeymoons with exciting city streets and lots of restaurants and nightclubs to explore.

Located in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is truly an island paradise. Long famous for its sand and sun, the island also has lush forests and stunning mountains. Lodgings on the island range from luxury Mauritius hotels to simple hostels. Mauritius also offers an increasing number of self-catering vacations.

Other top island honeymoons can be found in Phuket, Thailand, Bali, Zanzibar, and the Maldives. Romantic moonlit walks on the beach, splashing in the ocean, and incredible seafood dishes are a few of the highlights of an island honeymoon.

Tags: Indian Ocean, island honeymoons, luxury hotels, Mauritius, the Maldives, top honeymoon spots

Natural Life of Lake District

Rare species inhabit the region in England, the Lake District. Fish and foul, and land mammals have thrived here for many decades, and while some are entering the endangered lists, the fact that this is also a very popular destination for holiday travel among nature lovers is an advantage. For as people observe, people conserve and protect. Red squirrels inhabit the mountains as well as two golden eagles. The only two in all of England, and quite coincidentally and fortunate that they happen to be a nesting pair. They have gained a following, much as Pale Male, the red tail hawk living just outside of Central Park, the public gathers each year in hopes of seeing new fledglings popping their heads out the nest. Insurance of the continuance of the beautiful species.

This is one reason, the hiking and the wildlife adventures and survival, that many find the hiking in this location, stunning not only in visual beauty but the inherent beauty of life in general. Lake District bed and breakfasts offer guided tours, or for those more adventurous, a map and you can find it on your own volition. There are meat eating plants in the region, rare species of fish in the many lakes…in face the most rare of England’s marine life is found here, the Coregonus Vandesius. And while many outdoor activities are encouraged, quite obviously fishing is not. Restrictions were set into place in 2002, in response to the number of species that were put on the endangered lists. The species in these fourteen lakes are susceptible to disease, and are very delicate, so adding new in attempts to restore the old is not an option. So preservation is key to the survival of the marine life. For the naturalist and the environmentalist this is one area of the world that should not be missed.

Tags: bed, breakfasts, lake district

Looking Ahead

A few years ago, two years to be exact, I discovered that the high end food I was feeding my beloved friend was poisoned. I did not know at the time the brand of Nutri -max came out of China, not that it would have concerned me then, but in the end it did, as I fed 6 cans of toxic food to the one being I love more than any other. News reports were broadcast from all corners, including the most reputable Singapore luxury hotels, but nothing prepared me for the realization of seeing the bar codes listed as contaminated, that happened to be on the case of food in my cupboard. And while these products were swiftly recalled, they were not taken off the shelves in a timely manner for me or my dog. Renal failure was reported. I looked at my Pit-mix, knowing I’d rescued him from Chicago Canine Rescue and I’d signed a contract stating that I would provide the best possible care, and I’d failed, while spending a lot of money on high end food to do so. To fail according to their contract and to fail when looking into his amber eyes. Far from the Singapore luxury hotels, there was a child sitting with a dog, sick and with health failing. And of course, being the narcissistic species, we wondered about our food supply.

My dog, Jack, was only inconvenienced so much as having a tube inserted into his … man/dog parts, resulting in an interesting morning pee, but other animals had failing kidneys and quite a few died due to the poison. The overall and everlasting effects are not known to date. No central based information center has been established, and the everlasting effects could result in the death of thousands upon thousands of family pets. Media coverage in the United States was broad, as we Americans do love our tamed beasts. And food recall has gone beyond that for animals, issuing warning for those who partake in chicken pickin ‘, of the foul bones that is, as the contaminants found in the dog food are similar to those of melamine basis found in chicken stock. Jack for now is healthy and good and eating homemade and home-grown fare, as for the rest of us, time will tell.

Tags: hotels, luxury, Singapore

Just Let It Matter, Poet Lee Tzu Pheng

In the words of Tom Petty, ‘please, let it matter’. Lee Tzu Pheng was born in 1946 in Singapore. And to this day is one of Singapore’s most recognized poets, no small feat for a, woman. As what happens historically with female artists, she’s had moments of creative silence as she took care of her husband and her children and her household. She is quite shy and that has been reflected in her introspective, lyrical, and thoughtful nature and writings. She searches as many female artists do, for herself. Just simply herself. Her own identity. She has a questioning and curious response to patriotism for her country, and a faith that stops short of excluding her as male driven societies so often do. For many poets, not just female, the writing becomes not just about the happenings of a particular society or culture, but of their own involvement, or exclusion, from it. She did not create a large body, but she created a good body, a well respected and honored body of work. Apart from those participating in luxury travel Singapore provided her with a realism concerning what it is to be Singaporean and a woman.

Pheng was honored with an award, one of only six writers and the only Singaporean, the Gabriela Minstrel Award. Honored by the Chilean government before she was honored by her own. Her contributions to the world of literature and the world of Singapore garnered her this acknowledgment. This happened in 1995 and then in 1996 she was one of only two writers to receive the literary award for the Center for the Arts in Monte Blanc . She regularly participates in public readings, and leads seminars throughout the world, and has had her words set to music by some of the leading composers of the day. Classes in universities worldwide now teach courses wherein she and her writings are the subject matter. She has become personally involved with teaching and advising young writers and started the twice awarded yearly acknowledgement of young talent and the continued effort to nurture and encourage the young to put there hearts down on paper through the written word. She remains the shy girl however, looking calm and serene above the surface, like a swan…but with feet paddling and heart pounding just under the surface, wanting what is always wanted by any artist, to just let it matter.

Tags: luxury, Singapore, Travel

Protecting the Coastline of Spain

The Strait of Gibraltar connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic ocean. These are the bodies of water that surround Spain and the islands off the coast of Spain. For years the traffic through this area has grown immensely, due to industry, business and tourism. Twenty countries that sit within this area have signed a proposal. The goal is the cleaning up of the waters and the protection of the marine life indigenous to these waters. Many different species of whales and dolphins have managed to swim and migrate through the boats and the tankers, but the pollution has caused the Mediterranean to become somewhat of a ‘sick’ sea. The increasing pollution of the water not only threatens the species alive right now, but future generations as these waters are the breeding ground for much of the underwater life, and they depend on these waters. All of Europe, for some time now has taken steps to reduce the waste affecting the natural environment.

From the boot tip of Sicily, to the coast of Greece, bottle-nose dolphins live and propagate and migrate and have for years. The government of these countries are considering making these areas protected against the water traffic, in the hopes of decreasing the chances of extinction for these animals. Many resort towns throughout Europe and off the coast of Spain, and other countries set up whale and dolphin watching tours, which is a bit of a Catch-22, sending boats out into the already overly trafficked waters seems anti-environmental, but when the humans can see up close, the divinity of these giant beasts perhaps they will become more apt to protect them. In the Mediterranean, the tours make every attempt to take the ships out in the most non-invasive way. The five star hotel Mallorca tour insists on following the migratory patterns so as to not disturb the natural progression of the lives of these beasts. Just about all of the countries that surround and affect the waters of the Mediterranean have signed the treaty that will hopefully insure many generations of the various species, life for years to come.

Tags: five, hotel, Mallorca, star

Dubai Economic Slowdown Leaves Foreign Workers Stranded

For the last decade or so Dubai became a true boomtown. With unparalleled growth in both real estate and tourism, the city became one of the most popular destinations in the Middle East and was developing a reputation as a playground for the rich and famous on the Persian Gulf. As the global economic slowdown hits the region, all that is changing.

In recent years, development was constantly increasing. Resorts, luxury Dubai hotels, sports and entertainment venues, high rise apartments, and countless restaurants and shops were built or under construction to support the influx of both residents and tourists. The UAE’s support of foreign business saw an increase in business travelers as well.

A large number of those employed to build these projects were foreign workers. Construction workers from all over the Middle East and Southeast Asia flocked to the area’s booming job market. A majority of the now unemployed workers come from Pakistan and India and they don’t have the money or the ability to return home. Many companies are holding workers passports hostage in order to ensure that they have a ready-made workforce once the economy swings back up.

Over half of the UAE‘s development projects are on hold. This represents $582USD billion of investment. While a handful of the projects are moving forward with help from the recent $10 billion Abu Dhabi bailout, most projects are at a standstil, leaving all those foreign workers stranded.

Groups such as the UN International Labor Organization estimate that hundreds of thousands of unskilled foreign workers are now unemployed in the Gulf region. Lured by the promise of the building heydey, they are now forced to cram into tiny apartments with dozens of other men and hope for the best. The corporate practice of keeping worker passports prevents them from finding work with other companies in the area as well as from returning to their homelands to look for work.

Some experts are hopeful that the economy can stabilize following the bailout as well as an influx of $20 billion to the sovereign bond program. There is also the chance that oil prices will rebound. However, the effects of these changes will take time to trickle down and whether some foreign workers will ever be rehired remains a big question.

Tags: dubai, ILO, luxury hotel, UAE

The Castle of Good Hope

One of the main attractions in Cape Town, South Africa is the Castle of Good Hope. Constructed between 1666 and 1679, the Castle replaced an older timber and clay fort known as the Redout Duijnhoop. Both served as a coastal replenishment station between the Dutch East Indies and the Netherlands. The Castle is the oldest building in South Africa.

Shaped as a pentagon, the Castle of Good Hope has five bastions that were named after Willem, the Prince of Orange. Leerdam, Buuren, Catzenellenborgen, Nassau, and Orange are the five principal titles held by the Prince.

The star-shaped fortress housed a church, workshops, shops, cells, living quarters, and a bakery. An interior wall served as further fortification, protecting citizens from attack. The Castle was declared a national monument in 1936 and underwent extensive renovation in the 1980s.

Over the years the Castle served as the local headquarters in the Western Cape for the South African Army and the castle’s distinctive shape appeared on the South African Defence Force flags. Today it is the home of the Castle Military Museum. It is also used for ceremonial purposes by the traditional Cape Regiments.

Visitors to the castle will find a variety of accommodations within easy distance of the site. Chose from a luxury Cape Town hotel, a comfortable guest house or from any of the hostels and hotels in the area. The city is also home to wonderful restaurants, shopping, and other monuments as well as beautiful parks and gardens.

Tags: Cape Town, capetown, Castle Military Museum, Castle of Good Hope, luxury hotel

Modes of Transportation on the Island of Singapore

Singapore is a city rich with cultural activities, water parks and aquariums, and festivals. For the tourist or business traveler there are many various options for dining out, for entertainment and many options for places to stay, many options for booking nights at one of many Singapore luxury hotels. And for the traveler, there are many options for getting around the island for business and for pleasure. For travel to the island of Singapore one may take any number of cruises as Singapore has a major port. And the main international airport, the Changi Airport, services many major airline companies. And once on the island one can travel quick and efficiently, or a bit more romantically by some of the older traditional means.

Until WWII, the main form of public transportation was the rickshaw. Where as the rickshaw is a cart with two wheels pulled by a human running, the trishaw has three wheels and is fitted with a bicycle seat, a chain and pedals. Invented by the Japanese, this form of travel became popular in Singapore during the early 1920′s. Some of the passenger cars are situated behind the driver, while others are positioned to the side in a sidecar. While this form of travel may not be the quickest way to get from one place to another, it is a very enjoyable experience. Bringing a bit of tradition and history into the beginning or the end of any night out on the town. Singapore has just one cable car company, which runs from one end of the island to the other, letting people off at one of the major tourist attractions, Sentosa, which is a sea-side, resort town. And as far as accessing some of the smaller islands off the coast, there are two bridges and a ferry boat, also a great way to leisurely get to one’s destination.

For those wanting more direct and faster means, roads connect all of the major and most of the smaller towns on the island. Expressways were built as a means to get people out of the downtown district. The idea being that if the outlying towns were easily accessible, people would move to the outskirts of the city and commute. Thus spreading out the population and relieving the over-population of the central business district. And now many of the expressway into and out of the area have become toll roads, providing the transportation department the means to provide the up keep and construction. Singapore also has three rail lines as part of the mass transit system, and a light rail that was was opened in 1988. And within the next year, the circle line is to be completed. And of course, as in any major city there are buses that run frequently and taxi stands on just about every corner, as well as a sufficient number to hail should one need. Singapore is an island with much to see and experience and the various modes of transportation provide the means to do so.

Tags: island, Singapore, transportation